• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.56 no.1
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• pp.23-53
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• 2023

In this review paper, previous studies on layered double hydroxides (LDHs) published in the Korean Citation Index (KCI) were examined to investigate a research trend for LDHs in Korea. Since the first publication in 2002, 160 papers on LDHs have been published until January 2023. Among the 31 academic fields, top 5 fields appeared in the order of chemical engineering, chemistry, materials engineering, environmental engineering, and physics. The chemical engineering shows the highest record of published paper (71 papers) while around 10 papers have been published in the other four fields. All papers were reclassified into 15 research fields based on the industrial and academic purposes of using LDHs. The top 5 in these fields are in order of environmental purification materials, polymer catalyst materials, battery materials, pharmaceutical/medicinal materials, and basic physicochemical properties. These findings suggest that researches on the applications of LDH materials in the academic fields of chemical engineering and chemistry for the improvement of their functions such as environmental purification materials, polymer catalysts, and batteries have been being most actively conducted. The application of LDHs for cosmetic and agricultural purposes and for developing environmental sensors is still at the beginning of research. Considering a market-potential and high-efficiency-eco-friendly trend, however, it will deserve our attention as emerging application fields in the future. All reclassified papers were summarized in our tables and a supplementary file, including information on applied materials, key results, characteristics and synthesis methods of LDHs used. We expect that our findings of overall trends in LDH research in Korea can help design future researches with LDHs and suggest policies for resources and energies as well as environments efficiently.

• Clean Technology
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.10-21
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• 2023

Hydrogels that are made of natural polymer-based double networks have excellent biocompatibility, low cytotoxicity, and high water content, assuring that the material has the properties required for a variety of biomedical applications. However, hydrogels also have limitations due to their relatively weak mechanical properties. In this study, hydrogels based on an alginate di-aldehyde (ADA) and gelatin (Gel) double network that is reinforced with additional hydrogen bonds formed between the hydroxyl (-OH) groups of the hyperbranched polymer (HPG) and the functional groups present inside of the hydrogels were successfully synthesized. The enhanced mechanical properties of these synthesized hydrogels were evaluated by varying the amount of HPG added during the hydrogel synthesis from 0 to 25%. In addition, magnetite nanoparticles (Fe₃O₄ NPs) were synthesized within the hydrogels and the structures and the magnetic properties of the hydrogels were also characterized. The hydrogels that contained 15% HPG and Fe₃O₄ NPs exhibited superparamagnetic behaviors with a saturation magnetization value of 3.8 emu g^-1. These particular hydrogels also had strengthened mechanical properties with a maximum compressive stress of 1.1 MPa at a strain of 67.4%. Magnetic hydrogels made with natural polymer-based double networks provide improved mechanical properties and have a significant potential for drug delivery and biomaterial application.

• Journal of the Korea Organic Resources Recycling Association
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.47-56
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• 2023

This study describes the successful synthesize strategy for the silica nanoparticles utilizing various water sources, including tap, industrial, and stream waters without using deionized water. Also, as-synthesized silica nanoparticles are employed as dispersive materials for the electro-responsive smart fluid application. Specifically, homogeneous silica nanoparticles with sizes of 500-700nm are successfully prepared in large scale at once (ca. 12.0 g) with the described experimental method and showing similar structural and chemical characteristics with silica nanoparticles synthesized using the deionized water. The size of silica nanoparticles are varied according to the ion conductivity differences of tap, industrial, stream water, and deionized water. The size of silica nanoparticles decresed with the increased ion conductivity, indicating the ion suppression of growth of silica nanoparticles. Moreover, as-synthesized silica nanoparticles from various water sources of electro-responsive characteristic are investigated by the smart fluid application. The smart fluids containing silica nanoparticles synthesized by tap, industrial, and stream water exhibited higher shear stress compared to the deionized water, owing to the more rigid fibril-like structures formed by the smaller silica nanoparticles. Conclusively, uniform silica nanoparticles from various water sources without any purification are able to successfully prepared without usage of deionized water and resulting silica nanoparticles manifested higher electro-responsive performance.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.69-78
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• 2023

This study aimed to investigate the protective effect of enzymatically modified stevia (EMS) on C2C12 cell-based model of dexamethasone (DEX)-induced muscle atrophy to provide baseline data for utilizing EMS in functional health products. C2C12 cells with DEX-induced muscle atrophy were treated with EMS (10, 50, and 100 ㎍/mL) for 24 h. C2C12 cells were treated with EMS and DEX to test their effects on cell viability and myotube formation (myotube diameter and fusion index), and analyze the expression of muscle strengthening or degrading protein markers. Schisandra chinensis Extract, a common functional ingredient, was used as a positive control. EMS did not show any cytotoxic effect at all treatment concentrations. Moreover, it exerted protective effects on C2C12 cell-based model of DEX-induced muscle atrophy at all concentrations. In addition, the positive effect of EMS on myotube formation was confirmed based on the measurement and comparison of the fusion index and myotube diameter when compared with myotubes treated with DEX alone. EMS treatment reduced the expression of muscle cell degradation-related proteins Fbx32 and MuRF1, and increased the expression of muscle strengthening and synthesis related proteins SIRT1 and pAkt/Akt. Thus, EMS is a potential ingredient for developing functional health foods and should be further evaluated in preclinical models.

• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
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• v.55 no.4
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• pp.138-164
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• 2022

The Neolithic shell midden in Daejuk-ri, Seosan, is distributed on the gentle slope of a low hill close to the west coast. The bedrock of the area consists mainly of schist with various mafic minerals, but shows a partial gneiss pattern. The site consists of loamy topsoil and clay loam subsoil, and the degree of siallization is relatively low. Although the pottery excavated from the shell midden shares mostly similar features, a variety of shapes and patterns coexist. The surface colors, thickness and physical properties are slightly different. The pottery can be subdivided into three types (IA, IB and II) according to the composition of the body clay, the temper and the existence of a black core. Types IA and IB are colorless mineral pottery with a non-black or black core respectively. TypeII is colored mineral pottery with a non-black core. Type I pottery also contains non-plastic colored minerals, but type II contains a large amount of biotite, chlorite, talc, amphibole, diopside and tremolite, which include a large amount of Mg and Fe. The studied pottery contains a small amount of organic matter. Considering the grain size and relatively poor sorting and roundness of the non-plastic particles, the pottery appears to be made by adding coarse non-plastic tempers for special purposes to the untreated weathered soil around the site. The three types of pottery seem to have been incompletely fired in general. While type IB has the lowest degree of oxidation, typeII shows the highest degree of redness and oxidation. It can be interpreted that these differences depend on the firing temperature and the ratio of non-plastic particles. Through a synthesis of the minerals, geochemical data and thermal history, it can be determined that the firing temperature ranged from 600 to 700℃. The pottery types of the Daejuk-ri Shell Midden have slightly different production conditions, mineral compositions, and physical properties, but have undergone similar production processes with basically the same clay materials. The clay is almost identical to the composition of the bedrock and weathered soil distributed in the Daejuk-ri area. Currently, there is an industrial complex in the area, so it is difficult to confirm the soil and geological distribution of the site. However, it is highly probable that the area around the site was self-sufficient for the clay and tempers required for the production of the Neolithic pottery. Therefore, it can be interpreted that the group that left the shell midden in Daejuk-ri lived near the site, visited the site for the purpose of collecting and processing shellfish, and discarded the broken pottery along with shells.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.79-88
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• 2023

Trifludimoxazin is a triazinone herbicide that inhibits the synthesis of protoporphyrinogen oxidase (PPO). The lack of PPO damages the cell membranes, leading to plant cell death. An official analytical method for the safety management of trifludimoxazin is necessary because it is a newly registered herbicide in Korea. Therefore, this study aimed to develop a residual analysis method to detect trifludimoxazin in five representative agricultural products. The EN method was established as the final extraction method by comparing the recovery test and matrix effect with those of the QuEChERS method. Various sorbent agents were used to establish the clean-up method, and no differences were observed among them. MgSO₄ and PSA were selected as the final clean-up conditions. We used LC-MS/MS considering the selectivity and sensitivity of the target pesticide and analyzed the samples in the MRM mode. The recovery test results using the established analysis method and inter-laboratory validation showed a valid range of 73.5-100.7%, with a relative standard deviation and coefficient of variation less than 12.6% and 14.5%, respectively. Therefore, the presence of trifludimoxazin can be analyzed using a modified QuEChERS method, which is widely available in Korea to ensure the safety of residual insecticides.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.56 no.6
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• pp.602-614
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• 2023

Purpose: The balance between synthesis and degradation of proteins plays a critical role in the maintenance of skeletal muscle mass. Mitochondrial dysfunction has been closely associated with skeletal muscle atrophy caused by aging, cancer, and chemotherapy. Polygalacin D is a saponin derivative isolated from Platycodon grandiflorum (Jacq.) A. DC. This study aimed to investigate the effects of polygalacin D on myoblast differentiation and muscle atrophy in association with mitochondrial function in in vitro and in zebrafish models in vivo. Methods: C2C12 myoblasts were cultured in differentiation media containing different concentrations of polygalacin D, followed by the immunostaining of the myotubes with myosin heavy chain (MHC). The mRNA expression of markers related to myogenesis, muscle atrophy, and mitochondrial function was determined by real-time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Wild type AB^* zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryos were treated with 5-fluorouracil, leucovorin, and irinotecan (FOLFIRI) with or without polygalacin D, and immunostained to detect slow and fast types of muscle fibers. The Tg(Xla.Eef1a1:mitoEGFP) zebrafish expressing mitochondria-targeted green fluorescent protein was used to monitor mitochondrial morphology. Results: The exposure of C2C12 myotubes to 0.1 ng/mL of polygalacin D increased the formation of MHC-positive multinucleated myotubes (≥ 8 nuclei) compared with the control. Polygalacin D significantly increased the expression of MHC isoforms (Myh1, Myh2, Myh4, and Myh7) involved in myoblast differentiation while it decreased the expression of atrophic markers including muscle RING-finger protein-1 (MuRF1), mothers against decapentaplegic homolog (Smad)2, and Smad3. In addition, polygalacin D promoted peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma coactivator (Pgc1α) expression and reduced the level of mitochondrial fission regulators such as dynamin-1-like protein (Drp1) and mitochondrial fission 1 (Fis1). In a zebrafish model of FOLFIRI-induced muscle atrophy, polygalacin D improved not only mitochondrial dysfunction but also slow and fast muscle fiber atrophy. Conclusion: These results demonstrated that polygalacin D promotes myogenesis and alleviates chemotherapy-induced muscle atrophy by improving mitochondrial function. Thus, polygalacin D could be useful as nutrition support to prevent and ameliorate muscle wasting and weakness.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.149-160
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• 2024

Dextran is a glucose homo-polysaccharide with a predominantly α-1,6 glycosidic linkage of microbial source and is known to be produced primarily by lactic acid bacteria. However, it can also be obtained through the dextran dextrinase of acetic acid bacteria (Gluconobacter oxydans). The dextrin-based dextran was obtained from rice starch using G. oxydans fermentation of rice hydrolysate, and its properties were studied. Both dextrin- and rice hydrolysate-added media maintained the OD value of 6 after 20 h of incubation with acetic acid bacteria, and the gel permeation chromatography (GPC) analysis of the supernatant after 72 h of incubation confirmed that a polymeric material with DP of 480 and 405, which was different from the composition of the substrate in the medium, was produced. The glucose linkage pattern of the polysaccharide was confirmed using the proton nuclear magnetic resonance (¹H-NMR) and the increased α-1,4:α-1,6 bond ratio from 0.23 and 0.13 to 1:2.37 and 1:4.4, respectively, indicating that the main bonds were converted to α-1,6 bonds. The treatment of dextrin with a rat-derived alpha-glucosidase digestive enzyme resulted in a slow release of glucose, suggesting that rice hydrolysate can be converted to dextran using acetic acid bacteria with glycosyltransferase activity to produce high-value bio-materials with slowly digestible properties.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.109-121
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• 2023

This study was conducted to evaluate vitamin D intake of Koreans in a total diet study (TDS) and to determine the effect of irradiation on vitamin D synthesis in mushrooms. For analysis, sample were saponified and extracted with hexane, and vitamin D was quantified by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Based on the validation results, the recovery of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) standard reference sample (SRM) 1849a was 96.7% and the z-score of -1.6 was obtained by the Food Analysis Performance Assessment Scheme (FAPAS) proficiency test (PT) 21115. Vitamin D₂ was not detected in any samples, and the highest level of vitamin D₃ was detected in mackerel and anchovies ranging from 24.2 to 120.2 ㎍/kg. The mean daily intake of vitamin D was 0.99 ㎍/day, as estimated from the vitamin D contents of the analyzed foods and their corresponding intake. The adequate intake (AI) of vitamin D based on the Dietary reference intakes for Koreans provided by the Ministry of Health and Welfare is 5-15 ㎍/day for Koreans aged 6 to 75 years. Compared with this AI, vitamin D intake of Koreans estimated in this study was inadequate. For that, the increased vitamin D content in ultraviolet (UV)/sun light irradiated mushrooms warrants further research to increase vitamin D intake of Koreans through diet.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.66
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• pp.204-212
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• 2023

Whitening is inhibitory activity of the melanin synthesis of melanocytes. Recently, whitening materials have been developed on natural materials because of its side effects on skin. Figs (Ficus Carica L.) is a fruit belonging to the Moraceae family and whitening activity was reported in focusing on the fig's stem and leaf components, but whitening activity of the figs fruit was not known. Thus, in this study, we tried to observe its anti-melanogenesis as well as antioxidant and anti-inflammation. The radical scavenging activity of figs fruits extract (FFE) was observed as the level of 34.52±1.98%/60.71±1.26% compared to the control in the its maximum concentration in the DPPH/ABTS assay. Cytotoxicity of FFE was observed at 10% concentration by CCK8 assay, so the maximum concentration was set at 5% and applied to all experiments. FFE concentration dependently decreased NO production associated with inducible nitric oxide synthase, cyclooxygenase-2, interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α gene expression, these strongly suggesting anti-inflammatory activity. In melanin contents assay, FFE significantly down-regulated melanin production in α-MSH-stimulated B16F10 cell as well as tyrosinase inhibition in vitro. In addition, FFE decreased the Microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF) mRNA expression about 94.34% compared to the α-MSH treatment group in RT-PCR. Finally, FFE significantly reduced the MITF, cAMP response element-binding protein and tyrosinase protein expression in the α-MSH stimulated B16F10 cell. Through these results, we found that FFE can not only directly inhibit tyrosinase enzyme activity but also suppress melanogenesis through regulation of MITF gene expression in α-MSH signal transduction.